Crystal River current., 1887-09-10
The Flying Dutchman.

ueckS OF Cne gOOu snip barQWell, sail II
ing from Boston around Cape Horn III
heard OF the Flying Dutchman. AS all
boy believed in all the yarns, but by
the time was out of my apprentice
ship came to take these stories fot
what they were worth. lam going tp
tell you, however, that ] really saw
as mysterious q craft as the trad
tional ghost ship, and that if my eyss
were deceived SO were the optics OF a
whole ships company.
In April, 1868, was mate of an
English whaling bark called the Lord
Rossmore, Capt. Pierce Mcconnell,
and we were off the mouth of the
Amazon. We had been out three
months, and were having big run of
luck. The weather seemed to be made
for our special benefit. There was
day after day of good working winds
and smooth seas, and there was no
day in which we did not sight whales.
On the day OF which l wish to
speak particularly we had killed
two fine whales. and by even
ing both were alongside and the sea
was as calm as mill-pond. Weshould
have begun the cutting-in process at
once, but the decks were not yet clear
OF the last whale, while the men were
so worn out that they clamored for
nights rest. The barometer was high,
the sea smooth, and the captain is
sued orders for all the men to knock
off. This meant that the off watch
should have their hunks, while the on
watch could sleep on deck while on
duty. There wasn't wind enough to
drift us, and consequently we had no
lear OF any vessels except steamers,
and they would hardly run us down
on such a clear night that our ship
could be seen mile away. own that
as soon as the vessel grew quiet went
to sleep on my post, and that l slept
for long hour. When awoke it was
with chill ofapprehension. l felt that
something was very wrong, and at once
inspected the decks from stem to stern.
The men OF my watch were stretched
out here and there all fast asleep,
and everything seemed all fright. We
had whale on either side, and they
were riding buoyantly, while half q
dozen sharks were tearing at their
rough hides. Our night lights were all
right. everything safe from fire, and 1
called myself fool for thinking that
anything was wrong. Nevertheless l
WOEElfO hIlu uSENouS, k1I1u
the desire to sleep left me entirely.
1t might have been half an hour aft
sr my Weakening, and Lwas softly pac-
ing the deck, taking IN its whole length,
when large, square-rigged ship, with
came out of the darkness to the north
east. She had bone in her teeth,
and her hull was careened over two or
three streaks by the pressure OF the
wind, and for the moment l forgot
whsre / was and the circumstances
which surrounded me. The ship stood
down to pass under our quarter, and
never took my eyes off her for an in
slant. She came swiftly, but there
was ghost-like movement that sent
,hills over me. AS If she were a real
ship, and as if a genuine topsail
breeze were blowing. on came the
stranger, and as she was within a
cables length she shifted her helm
bit, and the two craft were broadside
on for moment. There were twenty
five or thirty men at the ships port
rail watching us in true sailor fashion,
and on the quarter deck saw the
captain surveying us through his
nigl glasses. 1 could see that he was
an old man, having long white locks
and long white beard. Why, sir, I
would stake my life on what l saw,
though it would be useless to try to
make you believe it. Just as the stern
Of the ship was passing me her cap.
tain raised his hand, as if the motion
accompanied an order, and there was
3 rush OF the men to execute it. Sail
was taken in while you can snap your
finger, and the helm was put down,
and the ship came into the wind. She
wasn't stones throw away then,
and my eyes were still on her, when
some one behind me hoarsely exclalm-
ed:
MY God! Mr.. Merwin, but did you
ever see the likes OF it?"
turned to see one of the men be-
bind me. turned from him again to
the strange craft, and she was gone!
It took me two or three minutes to
realize that there was no wind and no
sea, and that no ship could have ma
nnuvered as she did, and then / asked
Of the man:
Zones. what did you sect"
II got a chill, sir, though it's warm
enough, as we all know, and awoke
TO find you looking off at the water.
As stood on my feet saw the ship,
and was right behind you when she
shortened sail and came up"
"And where is she now?"
"Gone, sir. That's q ghost ship,
cir. and we are all in for bad luck"
could have kicked myself for be-
lieving what saw. went after the
glasses, and just as got them the
lashings holding the whale on the port
side gave way with a great crash, the
bark keeled to the starboard with the
weight of the other fish, and as she
rocked back the other lashings parted,
and we ran to the rails, port and
starboard, in time to see the whales
sink out OF sight. The whole crew
were aroused and the captain storm
ID in a terrible way, but as no one was
to blame no one could be censured.
Next day it was known throughthe ship
that the Flying Dutchman had been
sighted, and, strangely enough, there
l. l.